Reading about the SCLC's impact in their voter registration efforts leads to a fantasy about how to build a database for civil rights metrics. Hats off to my personal hero, Jack O'Dell.
to bob moses, rest in power
Did you know that one of the Civil Rights Movement's most dynamic leaders was a mathematician? Read more in this post dedicated to Bob Moses z"l.
on jevons’ paradox
Do good databases save precious time? Let's see what 19th century British economists (and me) have to say about that! (Spoiler alert: the answer is no)
did ella baker have a rolodex?
Ella Baker, brilliant organizer and relationship builder, must have kept a list of names and addresses - but exactly where and how are still a mystery. Musings on this and much more about Ella Baker's legacy (including some primary source documents!).
clipboard + megaphone: a new perspective on dr. king’s legacy
5 lessons from Dr. King and his entourage on movement building through problem solving and behind-the-scenes system crafting.
behind the seen
This catapulted Mrs. Dungee beyond simple accounting and into visionary/badass/changemaker territory. And of course - underscores lessons that I'm learning more and more every day - there is no such thing as "back office" in social movement organizations. All of our grievances - and all of our work - are connected.
unsung heroes of a singing movement
In the latest installment of civil writes, mailing lists! solidarity! Angela Davis! and a special appearance by Francois Clemmons!
from bus boycott to badass bureaucracy
The Montgomery Boycott lasted 382 days - and throughout that time, staff and volunteer leaders coordinated intricate carpools with 32 different stops, shepherding 40,000 people to their destinations. I want to learn the story of how they orchestrated such a sophisticated system, so I'm following a breadcrumb trail, and I'm going to share some of that story with you here.
care work is system thinking
A new take on the Civil Rights Movement that centers women and reproductive justice. A badass crew of ordinary chefs take the Montgomery bus boycott by storm. And a skeevy dude becomes a famous Lefty (?) for being a mail appeal expert. All that, and more...
bread scare: the story of Jack O’Dell and resourcing the SCLC
Stanley Levison and Jack O'Dell were operations masterminds, fundraising trailblazers, and behind-the-scenes brains-and-brawn who kept the SCLC afloat during some tough times. And I'm not the only person who thinks so! Yet, these figures loom obscure despite their utter brilliance. Read on to learn the history of SCLC fundraising in the early 60's.
